North County band releases first CD
Local clubs, influences give musicians start
By Melissa Wrobel
Staff writer
Date Unknown
North County natives and Hazelwood school district graduates Mike Heeley, Mike Lowder and Aaron Popp of the band Somnia plans to celebrate their first compact disc titled "(not to scale)" with an all-ages release party at The Galaxy Friday.
"All the hard work is done," Heeley said. "This is just a way to celebrate with our friends, family, and fans."
Tickets for the event at the Galaxy, 1227 Washington, are $7 for under 21 and $5 for over 21. the CD will be available along with Somnia T-shirts for $10.
The band formed in the summer of 1999 and have been playing clubs such as Mississippi Nights, The Firehouse, The Side Door Club, and Hi Pointe ever since.
Somnia won the $1000 prize in Extreme Radio 104.1 Battle of the Bands competition in April. they have opened for Everlast, life in general, and Universal recording artists Unified Theory.
The band's name came from Heeley's brainstorming, when he tried to use part of one word and create a new word. Although they didn't know it at the time, they later discovered Somnia means "dream" in Latin.
Staying true to their roots, Somnia recorded its first album in St. Louis' The Mixing Room Studios*. Darrell McClanahan mixed and engineered the CD.
Music has always been in the trio's blood. Hazelwood West 1994 graduates popp and Heeley earned bachelor's degrees from Truman State University in Kirksville. Lowder, a Hazelwood Central 1994 graduate, received his degree in recording arts from Webster University.
"I knew I wanted to be in a band in the second grade," Heeley said. "I had my first band then and we did a takeoff of Rush's 'Tom Sawyer.' I played the trumpet and french horn in the school band but I always fancied myself as a writer and guitarist."
Lowder, the drummer, also knew at an early age that his passion was music.
"I took private drum lessons for about three years," Lowder said. "I never played in the school band or anything but I knew it was what I wanted to do since I was 15."
Popp, bassist, singer and songwriter, was not so sure he wanted to do music when he was younger. He also wasn't sure he wanted to do it when he joined Somnia.
"I didn't really want to sing," Popp said. "I was kind of drafted because neither of them wanted to do lead. I didn't have a musical background. I learned to play bass through Heeley and watching other bassists."
Somnia's biggest musical influence came from a variety of people. Heeley tributes his flair for music to his father, who played in a country band Heeley was a child and Chad Taylor Live,** who was his first big guitar influence. Popp credits Sting when he worked with The Police for showing how to sing and play well.
Lowder said his first drum teacher exercised the biggest influence over his music.
"Although I was only with him for about a year, he taught me everything I knew about drums. That is what teachers are supposed to do, give you the backbone to stand on your own," Lowder said.
Somnia may get the chance to influence future musicians not only with their own music but also through Musicians United For Furthering Youth (MUFFY).
"It's an organization that teaches music lessons on a volunteer basis," Heeley said.
"We have been in contact with them and look forward to helping future musicians through teaching and playing shows to raise money for the organization."
*The Upper Room Studios
**Chad Taylor of the band Live
North County natives and Hazelwood school district graduates Mike Heeley, Mike Lowder and Aaron Popp of the band Somnia plans to celebrate their first compact disc titled "(not to scale)" with an all-ages release party at The Galaxy Friday.
"All the hard work is done," Heeley said. "This is just a way to celebrate with our friends, family, and fans."
Tickets for the event at the Galaxy, 1227 Washington, are $7 for under 21 and $5 for over 21. the CD will be available along with Somnia T-shirts for $10.
The band formed in the summer of 1999 and have been playing clubs such as Mississippi Nights, The Firehouse, The Side Door Club, and Hi Pointe ever since.
Somnia won the $1000 prize in Extreme Radio 104.1 Battle of the Bands competition in April. they have opened for Everlast, life in general, and Universal recording artists Unified Theory.
The band's name came from Heeley's brainstorming, when he tried to use part of one word and create a new word. Although they didn't know it at the time, they later discovered Somnia means "dream" in Latin.
Staying true to their roots, Somnia recorded its first album in St. Louis' The Mixing Room Studios*. Darrell McClanahan mixed and engineered the CD.
Music has always been in the trio's blood. Hazelwood West 1994 graduates popp and Heeley earned bachelor's degrees from Truman State University in Kirksville. Lowder, a Hazelwood Central 1994 graduate, received his degree in recording arts from Webster University.
"I knew I wanted to be in a band in the second grade," Heeley said. "I had my first band then and we did a takeoff of Rush's 'Tom Sawyer.' I played the trumpet and french horn in the school band but I always fancied myself as a writer and guitarist."
Lowder, the drummer, also knew at an early age that his passion was music.
"I took private drum lessons for about three years," Lowder said. "I never played in the school band or anything but I knew it was what I wanted to do since I was 15."
Popp, bassist, singer and songwriter, was not so sure he wanted to do music when he was younger. He also wasn't sure he wanted to do it when he joined Somnia.
"I didn't really want to sing," Popp said. "I was kind of drafted because neither of them wanted to do lead. I didn't have a musical background. I learned to play bass through Heeley and watching other bassists."
Somnia's biggest musical influence came from a variety of people. Heeley tributes his flair for music to his father, who played in a country band Heeley was a child and Chad Taylor Live,** who was his first big guitar influence. Popp credits Sting when he worked with The Police for showing how to sing and play well.
Lowder said his first drum teacher exercised the biggest influence over his music.
"Although I was only with him for about a year, he taught me everything I knew about drums. That is what teachers are supposed to do, give you the backbone to stand on your own," Lowder said.
Somnia may get the chance to influence future musicians not only with their own music but also through Musicians United For Furthering Youth (MUFFY).
"It's an organization that teaches music lessons on a volunteer basis," Heeley said.
"We have been in contact with them and look forward to helping future musicians through teaching and playing shows to raise money for the organization."
*The Upper Room Studios
**Chad Taylor of the band Live